The Take-Out: August 8

This weekend, we're preparing for the best.

1) The Early Bird Gets the … Chef
Edible Austin will be hosting their annual Chef Auction benefiting the Sustainable Food Center and Urban Roots October 9. But you better hurry to get the $50 early ticket price. Participating chefs this year include Philip Speer of Uchi, Uchiko, and St. Philip, Callie Speer of Swift’s Attic; Jack Gilmore of Jack Allen’s Kitchen, Bryce Gilmore of Barley Swine and Odd Duck; Benjamin Baker of Travaasa Experiential Resorts; Jesse Griffiths of Dai Due; Allison Jenkins and Vilma Mazaite of LaV; Daniel Olivella of Barlata; Casey Wilcox of Justine’s Brasserie; Tim Byres of SMOKE and Chicken Scratch; and Tatsu Aikawa and Tako Matsumoto of Ramen Tatsu-ya. The early bird price is available until August 13. Procrastinators will pay an extra $25.

2) … or the Bocce Ball
There's still plenty of time to carbo load before Mandola's Italian and Trattoria Lisina host their annual bocce ball tournament benefiting Driftwood's Burke Center for Youth. There's a little less time to get the early bird registration rate of $150 for a two-person team. The tournament winner will win a trip to Italy; Second place receives a pizza party. We're not sure which prize we like best.

3) Have Your (Cup)Cake
Sugar Mama's long-awaited outpost at 2406 Manor will be opening this Saturday. According to a Facebook post, the shop will have a two-week soft opening before kicking into high gear. In addition to the coveted cupcakes, they will eventually serve beer and wine. And cheesecake for all your Golden Girls marathons.

4) The Small Pleasures
Salty Sow has a new happy hour concept that will surely please those of us who can never decide what to order. For $13, the Manor Road gastropub will shake up three mini versions of their craft cocktails in a flight. And yes, limiting the selection to just three may still prove difficult, but think of all the fun you'll have drawing Venn diagrams.

5) So Many Questions
Admittedly, alpine breastaurant Twin Peaks isn't really our thing (see Golden Girls reference above), but an item from a press release about their fantasy draft parties has us intrigued. Booking a party will get the host some buffalo plaid swag – including coupons, stickers, and an unfortunately named "Man Sack full of goodies."